Low inductance capacitor

ABSTRACT

A low inductance multi-layer capacitor. The capacitor includes interleaved parallel internal electrode plates with dielectric there between. Each internal electrode plate includes two lead-out tabs and is generally T shaped. A first external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the lead-out tabs of the even internal electrode plates, and a second external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the lead-out tabs of the odd internal electrode plates. The external electrode terminals are on a common first exterior surface and a common opposing second exterior surface of the capacitor.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related to a low inductance capacitor having two terminals. More particularly, the present invention is related to a low inductance multi-layer capacitor having two terminals which electrically connect to the lead-out tabs of interleaved T shaped electrodes.

In summary, the art has been seeking a low inductance multi-layer capacitor for use in high frequency decoupling applications which is effective and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as simple to use. Recent developments in microprocessors and memory technologies have led to an increased demand for faster switching speeds and greater densities in integrated circuits. Because of these demands, higher operating frequencies or switching speeds are required which cause larger current fluctuations and difficulties in controlling voltage fluctuations accompanying these larger current fluctuations. Today, sophisticated noise filtering techniques are necessary to stabilize these fluctuations.

Decoupling capacitors are often used as a means of overcoming physical and time constraints found in integrated circuits by reducing voltage fluctuations and enhancing the reliability of the device. Commonly, multi-layer ceramic capacitors are used as decoupling capacitors because of their size, availability, density, performance, reliability, and cost. Decoupling capacitors are usually mounted on a printed circuit board (“PCB”) in close proximity to the decoupled microprocessor or integrated circuit. By supplying quick charge flow at the event of a high speed transient current fluctuation, the decoupling capacitor supplies a supplemental current, thereby reducing voltage fluctuation of the power source.

As switching speeds and device densities of integrated circuits increase, greater demands are placed on decoupling capacitors. In the past, this demand has been met through the use of larger and larger capacitance value capacitors. The use of larger value capacitors, however, creates two problems. First, there is an ongoing demand for smaller and smaller devices due to the ongoing desire for the miniaturization of electronic apparatuses. Second, the larger the capacitor size, the larger the parasitic inductance becomes. Parasitic inductance is almost always undesirable because it degrades the effectiveness of the capacitor. Capacitors with large parasitic inductances have relatively low resonance frequency combined with relatively high impedance at high frequencies making them unusable for many high-speed applications. The relationship between resonance frequency and capacitance can be expressed in the following equation:

$f_{o} = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}$ wherein ƒ₀ represents resonance frequency, L represents parasitic inductance, which is suitably estimated as equivalent series inductance (“ESL”), and C represents capacitance. As can be seen, the smaller the inductance L, the higher the resonance frequency ƒ₀ becomes.

Mutual inductance is also undesirable in an electric circuit because it causes unwanted coupling between conductors in a circuit. Mutual inductance is the property of an electric circuit or component which generates an electromotive force (“EMF”). Mutual inductance occurs as a result of a change in the current flowing through a neighboring circuit with which it is magnetically linked. In other words, mutual inductance is the voltage induced in one circuit when the current in another circuit changes by a unit amount in unit time. The EMF generated by the presence of mutual inductance maintains a direction which is always opposite the change in the magnetic field.

Low inductance capacitors are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,300 to Sutardja (“the '300 Patent”) discloses a multilayer capacitor having a low parasitic inductance. A sideways T shaped electrode is vertically oriented and mounted to a PCB. The T extensions are electrically connected to four separate external contact bars at the bottom and top of the capacitor. The distance between the two external contact bars at the top and bottom of the capacitor is reduced to decrease the parasitic inductance. While the '300 Patent discloses a capacitor with lower parasitic inductance than standard multilayer capacitors, it does not disclose a capacitor with lower mutual inductance. Furthermore, the '300 Patent still maintains a high parasitic inductance due to the limiting surface area of the terminations. The capacitors disclosed in the '300 Patent are expensive to manufacture and have limiting mounting capabilities due to the use of separate external contact bar terminations. Furthermore, the external electrodes are only internally connected to the capacitor body.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,355 to Galvagni et al. (“the '355 Patent”) discloses an improved low inductance interdigitated capacitor and corresponding termination scheme. The '355 Patent discloses the use of solder stops to create a ball limiting metallurgy and provides for the use of electrode tabs extending from electrode layers which are exposed on the sides of the capacitor body. While the '355 Patent provides for a lower parasitic and mutual inductance, both the parasitic and mutual inductance remain high because of the electrode configuration and orientation. Further, the '355 Patent requires the use of solder stops and maintains limiting mounting capabilities.

Further multilayer capacitors also known in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,351 to Ahiko et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,730 to Togashi. These patents do not disclose capacitors with low mutual inductance and provide for capacitors with high parasitic inductance due to the limiting surface area of the interdigitated external terminations. Moreover, the items described in these patents are expensive to manufacture and have limiting mounting capabilities due to the use of separate external contact bar terminations.

In summary, the art has been seeking a multi-layer capacitor which generates low parasitic and mutual inductance in decoupling applications, is compatible with most existing circuit boards, and which is easily mountable and inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a capacitor which eliminates or lowers mutual inductance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a capacitor which has low parasitic inductance.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a capacitor which has inherently lower equivalent series inductance (ESL) and can therefore be used in high frequency decoupling applications.

An advantage of the present invention is the simplicity of manufacture since the internal electrodes can be manufactured in a manner similar to prior art capacitors.

Another advantage of the present invention is the ease of use and versatile mounting capabilities relative to common interdigitated capacitors because it does not require any change in the design of the circuit board.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ability to both internally and externally connect the external electrode terminals to the capacitor body

These and other advantages are provided in the capacitor of the present invention. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the capacitor comprises first internal electrode plates and second internal electrode plates which are arranged parallel to each other with dielectric there between. The first internal electrode plates comprise opposing first and second lead-out tabs, a first land, and a first end. Similarly, the second internal electrode plates comprise opposing third and fourth lead-out tabs, a second land, and a second end. A first external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the first internal electrode plates by the first and second lead-out tabs, and a second external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the second internal electrode plates by the opposing third and fourth lead-out tabs. Further, the first and second external electrode terminals are on a common first exterior surface and a common opposing second exterior surface of the capacitor.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the capacitor comprises more than one interleaved internal electrode plate wherein each internal electrode plate is arranged spaced apart in parallel with dielectric there between. Each internal electrode plate comprises a first and second lead-out tab, a land, and an end. A first external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the first and second lead-out tab of even ones of the internal electrode plates, and a second external electrode terminal is electrically connected to the first and second lead-out tab of odd ones of the internal electrode plates. Both the first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are each arranged on a common first exterior surface, a common opposing exterior surface, and a perpendicular face between the first exterior surface and the opposing exterior surface of the capacitor;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a capacitor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the electrode orientation of a capacitor of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the present invention having terminals covering three sides of the capacitor.

FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of an embodiment of the present invention having terminals covering five sides of the capacitor.

FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention utilizing vias to further electrically connect the electrodes of the capacitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming an integral part of the present disclosure. In various drawings, similar elements will be numbered accordingly.

A low inductance multilayer capacitor having generally ‘T’ shaped interleaved internal electrodes and two external electrode terminals is disclosed. FIG. 1 illustrates a capacitor unit, generally represented at 10, comprising a pair of conductive internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′ in parallel spaced-apart relationship. For clarity, the elements of the second internal electrode plate will be indicated by primes. The internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, are preferably identical and interleaved with one rotated relative to the other. A dielectric material, 16, is dispersed between the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′. Two external electrode terminals, 18 and 20 are positioned at opposing ends of the capacitor, 10. The external electrode terminals, 18 and 20, are electrically connected to the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, respectively. The dielectric material, 16, may also encase the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, except for the surfaces where the external electrode terminals, 18 and 20, are electrically connected to the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′. The external electrode terminals, 18 and 20, are attached to the circuit traces, 22, of the circuit board, 23.

In a finished capacitor, multiple overlaid internal electrodes would be arranged in a stacked relationship with dielectric between each internal electrode and its nearest neighbor(s). Each first internal electrode would be electrically connected to a common external electrode. Similarly, each overlaid second internal electrode would be electrically connected to a second common external electrode. As would be realized to one of ordinary skill in the art, the internal electrodes are in a stacked relationship with each internal electrode having opposite polarity to each adjacent internal electrode.

FIG. 2 illustrates the orientation of a multiplicity of first and second internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, are spaced apart in parallel with each other and each comprises a planar electrode element 26 and 26′, a first lead-out tab, 28 and 28′, a second lead-out tab, 30 and 30′, and a land, 27 and 27′, respectively. Lead-out tabs are also commonly referred to as lead-out electrodes and extensions in the art. The first lead-out tab, 28 and 28′, and second lead-out tab, 30 and 30′, of the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, respectively, form a generally ‘T’ shape. The lead-out tabs, 28 and 30, of the first internal electrode plates, 12, are positioned in the opposing direction of the lead-out tabs, 28′ and 30′, of the second internal electrode plates, 12, so that the lead-out tabs, 28 and 30, of the first internal electrode plates, 12, are not overlapping the lead-out tabs, 28′ and 30′, of the second internal electrode plates, 12′.

The first lead-out tabs, 28 and 28′, comprise a first contact face, 32 and 32′, which will be on a common face of the capacitor. The second lead-out tabs, 30 and 30′, comprise a second contact face, 34 and 34′, also on a common face of the capacitor. The contact faces are not encased and extend beyond the dielectric material to connect the internal electrode plates to the external electrode terminals. For example, referring back to FIG. 1, the first and second contact faces, 32 and 34 of the first internal electrode plates, 12, approaches the exterior of the capacitor body for connecting to the first external electrode terminal 18. Likewise, the first and second contact faces, 32′ and 34′, of the second internal electrode plates, 12′, approaches the exterior of the capacitor body for connecting to the second external electrode terminal 20. Further, the contact faces of both internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, terminate on at least two common exterior surfaces. First contact faces, 32 and 32′, of the first and second internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, electrically connect to an external electrode terminals, 18 and 20, on a first common exterior surface, 24, and second contact faces, 34 and 34′, of the first and second internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, electrically connect to an external electrode terminals, 18 and 20, on an opposing common exterior surface, 25.

The lead-out tabs can have either linear or non-linear side edges. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown, the side edges are linear and extend at approximately a ninety degree angle from the contact faces. A primary advantage to this embodiment is the simplicity of manufacture. In another embodiment, the side edges of the lead-out tabs are linear and diverge outward from the contact faces creating a generally trapezoidal shape. In yet another embodiment, the side edges of the lead-out tabs are non-linear and radial. Any lead-out tab shape is suitable for demonstration of the present invention as long as the generally ‘T’ shape is maintained yet complicated functions are not necessary and merely add manufacturing complexity. It would be understood that the lead-out tab is preferably integral with the internal electrode plate.

The entire capacitor, except for the contact faces of the internal electrode plate lead-out tabs, may be encased in an insulating material. The insulating material is nonconductive and forms an envelope that electrical charge can neither enter nor escape except through the external electrodes under normal operating conditions. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the insulating material is a dielectric material such as a ceramic.

The present invention is a two external electrode terminal design. In general, each external electrode terminal at least partially covers at least three sides of a capacitor body. The internal electrode plates are electrically connected to the external electrode terminals on at least two common sides. The two external electrode terminal design is especially advantageous over common interdigitated capacitors because the surface area of the external electrode terminal is large and covers at least three sides of the capacitor body which allows the current to flow into a greater area resulting in a lower inductance. Furthermore, the two external electrode terminals can be arranged at a minimal distance from each other to even further minimize parasitic inductance and minimize stress fractures of the capacitor. A two terminal design is also an industry standard for surface mount capacitor technology, which simplifies design and manufacturing costs considerably.

An embodiment of the present invention is provided in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a capacitor, 40, is illustrated comprising a capacitor body having a first exterior surface, 46, an opposing exterior surface 48, four perpendicular faces, 50, 52, 54, and 56, and having two external electrode terminals, 42 and 44. Each external electrode terminal, 42 and 44, at least partially encases at least three surfaces of the capacitor body. In the illustrated embodiment, the first external electrode terminal, 42, partially encases the first exterior surface, 46, and the opposing exterior surface, 48, and completely encases a first perpendicular face, 54. Likewise, the second external electrode terminal, 44, partially encases the first exterior surface, 46, and the opposing exterior surface, 48, and completely encases a second perpendicular face 50. The capacitor body shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 above. The contact faces, 32 and 34, of each first internal electrode lead-out tab, 28 and 30, respectively, are in electrical connection with external electrodes, 42, at the first exterior surface, 46, and the opposing exterior surface, 48. Similarly, the contact faces, 32′ and 34′, of each second internal electrode lead-out tab, 28′ and 30′, respectively, are in electrical connection with external electrode, 44, at the first exterior surface, 46, and the opposing exterior surface, 48. The internal electrodes plates, 12 and 12′, are electrically connected on two common external surfaces, 46 and 48. In a preferred embodiment, the internal electrode plate lands, 27 and 27′, are not electrically connected to the external electrode terminals, 42 and 44, at the perpendicular faces, 50, 52, 54, and 56. So that the internal electrode plate lands, 27 and 27′, are not electrically connected to the external electrode terminals, 42 and 44, an insulating material, such as a dielectric, may be positioned between the internal electrode plate lands, 27 and 27′, and the external electrode terminals, 42 and 44. This embodiment is preferred because it allows both internal and external connection of the external electrode terminals to the capacitor body.

Another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, a capacitor, 60, is illustrated comprising a capacitor body having a first exterior surface, 66, an opposing exterior surface 68, and four perpendicular faces, 70, 72, 74, and 76, and having two external electrode terminals, 62 and 64. In the illustrated embodiment, each external electrode terminal, 60 and 62, at least partially encases five surfaces of the capacitor body. The first external electrode terminal, 62, partially encases the first exterior surface, 66, the opposing exterior surface, 68, a first of four perpendicular faces 72, and a second of four perpendicular faces, 76, and completely encases a third perpendicular face, 74. Likewise, the second external electrode terminal, 64, partially encases the first exterior surface, 66, the opposing exterior surface, 68, a first of four perpendicular faces 72, and a second of four perpendicular faces, 76, and completely encases a fourth perpendicular face 70. The capacitor body shown in FIG. 4 is similar to that discussed in regards to FIG. 3. The contact faces, 32 and 34, of each first internal electrode lead-out tab, 28 and 30, respectively, are in electrical connection with external electrode terminal, 62, at the first exterior surface, 66, and the opposing exterior surface, 68. Similarly, the contact faces, 32′ and 34′, of each second internal electrode lead-out tab, 28′ and 30′, respectively, are in electrical connection with external electrode terminals, 64, at the first exterior surface, 66, and the opposing exterior surface, 68. The internal electrodes plates, 12 and 12′, are electrically connected on two common external surfaces, 66 and 68. In a preferred embodiment, the internal electrode plate lands, 27 and 27′, are not electrically connected to the external electrode terminals, 62 and 64 at the perpendicular faces, 70, 72, 74, and 76. So that the internal electrode plate lands, 27 and 27′, are not electrically connected to the external electrode terminals, 62 and 64, an insulating material, such as a dielectric, may be positioned between the internal electrode plates, 12 and 12′, and external electrodes terminals, 62 and 64. This embodiment is preferred because it allows both internal and external connection of the external electrode terminals to the capacitor body. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly preferred due to the simplicity of manufacture. For example, a dipping process may be used to attach the external electrode terminals to each end of the capacitor body. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is also a preferred termination design because it allows for mounting the capacitor in various positions.

FIG. 5 represents yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a capacitor, 80, is illustrated. The internal electrode plates, 95 and 95′, terminate on two common first and opposing exterior surfaces, 86 and 88, similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, however, the internal electrodes also terminate on two common first and second perpendicular faces, 92 and 94, through the use of vias, 97 and 97′. In this embodiment, a first via 97 is electrically connected to the first internal electrode plates, 95 and a second via, 97′, is electrically connected to the second internal electrode plates, 95′. Each internal electrode plate, 95 and 95′, includes a passage for the insertion of the via and the via extends through the capacitor body. The via, 97 and 97′, may terminate on only a first common face, 92, of the capacitor body or it may also terminate on a second common face of the capacitor body, 94. When a via is used, the internal electrode plates, 95 and 95′, are offset. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second internal electrode plates, 95 and 95′, are offset so that the first internal electrode plate ends, 98, do not contact the via, 97′, electrically connected to the second internal electrode plates, 95′. Likewise, the second internal electrode plate ends, 98′, do not contact the via, 97, electrically connected to the first internal electrode plates, 95. Multiple vias may be electrically connected to the internal electrodes plates without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the internal electrode plates are vertically oriented with the circuit board when mounted. This is a particularly preferred embodiment because it eliminates the mutual inductance between the circuit traces and the capacitor. Additionally, the electrode design of the present invention promotes inductive cancellation through mutual inductance of adjacent electrodes. While vertical orientation is preferred, the electrodes may also be oriented at any angle with the circuit board when mounted including horizontally oriented with the circuit board. Like vertical orientation, these orientations also have a reduced mutual and parasitic inductance. The present invention can be mounted on multiple sides of the external electrode terminals and does not require any change in the design of the circuit board which is an enormous advantage over common interdigitated capacitors.

The invention has been described with particular emphasis on the preferred embodiments without limit thereto. Based on the foregoing description, other embodiments and alterations would be apparent without departing from the scope of the invention which is more specifically set forth in the claims appended hereto. 

1. A capacitor comprising: first internal electrode plates; second internal electrode plates arranged parallel to said first internal electrode plates with dielectric between; wherein said first internal electrode plates comprise first and second lead-out tabs on opposing sides, a first land, and a first end; wherein said second internal electrode plates comprise an opposing third and fourth lead-out tab, a second land, and a second end; a first external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first internal electrode plates by said first and second lead-out tab; a second external electrode terminal electrically connected to said second internal electrode plates by said opposing third and fourth lead-out tab; wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are on a common first exterior surface and a common opposing second exterior surface of the capacitor; and wherein said first and second external electrode terminals are not electrically connected to said first and second internal electrode plates by said first and second land, respectively.
 2. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are on a common third exterior surface and a common fourth exterior surface of the capacitor.
 3. The capacitor of claim 1 wherein when said first and second external terminals are connected to a substrate.
 4. The capacitor of claim 3 wherein said first and second internal electrode plates of said capacitor are oriented perpendicular to said substrate.
 5. The capacitor of claim 3 wherein said first and second internal electrode plates of said capacitor are oriented parallel to said substrate.
 6. The capacitor or claim 1 wherein said first internal electrode plates are offset to said second internal electrode plates such that said first end does not extend to said second land and said second end does not extend to said first land.
 7. A capacitor comprising: first internal electrode plates; second internal electrode plates arranged parallel to said first internal electrode plates with dielectric between; wherein said first internal electrode plates comprise a first and second lead-out tab, a first land, and a first end; wherein said second internal electrode plates comprise an opposing third and fourth lead-out tab, a second land, and a second end; a first external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first internal electrode plates by said first and second lead-out tab; a second external electrode terminal electrically connected to said second internal electrode plates by said opposing third and fourth lead-out tab; wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are on a common first exterior surface and a common opposing second exterior surface of the capacitor; wherein said first internal electrode plates are offset to said second internal electrode plates such that said first end does not extend to said second land and said second end does not extend to said first land; and at least one first via electrically connects said first external electrode terminal to said first internal electrode plates.
 8. The capacitor of claim 7 wherein at least one second via electrically connects said second external electrode terminal to said second internal electrode plates.
 9. A capacitor comprising: m interleaved internal electrode plates; wherein each internal electrode plate of said m internal electrode plates are arranged spaced apart in parallel with dielectric between; wherein m is an integer greater than 1; wherein each said internal electrode plate comprises first and second lead-out tabs on opposing sides, a land, and an end; a first external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first and second lead-out tab of even ones of said m internal electrode plates; a second external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first and second lead-out tab of odd ones of said m internal electrode plates; wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are each arranged on a common first exterior surface, a common opposing exterior surface, and a perpendicular face between said first exterior surface and said opposing exterior surface of the capacitor; and wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are not electrically connected to said m internal electrode plates by said lands.
 10. The capacitor of claim 9 wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are on a common first perpendicular face and a common second perpendicular face between said first exterior surface and said opposing exterior surface of the capacitor.
 11. The capacitor of claim 9 wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are connected to a substrate.
 12. The capacitor of claim 11 wherein said m internal electrode plates of said capacitor are oriented perpendicular to the substrate.
 13. The capacitor of claim 11 wherein said m internal electrode plates of said capacitor are oriented parallel to said substrate.
 14. The capacitor or claim 9 wherein said m internal electrode plates are offset such that said ends of said even ones of said m electrode plates do not extend to said lands of said odd ones of said m electrode plates and said ends of said odd ones of said m electrode plates do not extend to said lands of said even ones of said m electrode plates.
 15. A capacitor comprising: m interleaved internal electrode plates; wherein each internal electrode plate of said m internal electrode plates are arranged spaced apart in parallel with dielectric betweew wherein m is an integer greater than 1; wherein each said internal electrode plate comprises a first and second lead-out tab, a land, and an end; a first external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first and second lead-out tab of even ones of said m internal electrode plates; a second external electrode terminal electrically connected to said first and second lead-out tab of odd ones of said m internal electrode plates; wherein said first external electrode terminal and said second external electrode terminal are each arranged on a common first exterior surface, a common opposing exterior surface, and a perpendicular face between said first exterior surface and said opposing exterior surface of the capacitor; wherein said m internal electrode plates are offset such that said ends of said even ones of said m electrode plates do not extend to said lands of said odd ones of said m electrode plates and said ends of said odd ones of said m electrode plates do not extend to said lands of said even ones of said m electrode plates; and at least one first via electrically connects said first external electrode terminal to said even ones of said m internal electrode plates.
 16. The capacitor of claim 15 wherein at least one second via electrically connects said second external electrode terminal to said odd ones of said m internal electrode plates. 